Challenge Day 1- Double Mat
From today through January 1st, I'm going to be posting a challenge a day and starting on Monday, I will also posting a contest a day! You will be able to win lots of great prizes all they way through the beginning of next year!
Today's challenge is called "Double Mat" All you have to do it double mat your focal image. You don't have to have punches or nestabilities to play but if you do, you can certainly use them. If all you have is a paper cutter, double mat them as rectangles.
In my card, I used the stamp set "Anna-Mae's Valentine" by Alicia K. for Gina K. Designs. Alicia drew this stamp set for last year's Valentine's Day release and it's such a great set for teens, tweens and little ones to make Valentine's for their friends.
I used Basic Grey's Urban Prairie patterned paper and brads. I also used the Gina K. Designs pure luxury 80 lb white card stock, memento ink and Copic markers for coloring Anna-Mae and the scallops around the heart. To make my double mat, I used Nestabilities petite scalloped and plain ovals. The tag was cut using the nestabilities double end tag dies.
In this closer view, you can see that I added glitter to her hair and wings using a Sakura Star Dust Pen. They are super easy to use and they dry almost instantly.
If you want to play along, you can upload your card in our gallery at splitcoaststampers by using the keyword GINAKDEC27. By searching for that keyword, you can see all the challenge cards by those who played along. This challenge doesn't have an expiration date so feel free to try it any time.
Tomorrow's challenge will knock you on an angle! Stay tuned for that! Then on Monday, I'll have another challenge and some fabulous year end blog candy each day as we head toward the New Year!!
I've added a personal note at the bottom if you'd like to read about my non-stamping life. Have a great day!
Hugs,
Gina K.
. . . . .
Personal Stuff
Christmas was so nice because my Dad was able to be home with us. He was very emotional all day. I think he was just so shocked that he actually made it home. 
I snapped a picture of my Mom and Dad with the kids.
But my favorite picture of the day was this one.
Isn't that so sweet? After 55 years of marriage and all they've been through... well, it just warms my heart to see this.
Have a wonderful day,
Love,
Gina
The picture of your mom and dad put tears in my eyes................. You must be so happy to have your dad home. Hugs---Barb
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Gina, thanks for sharing that your Dad was able to come home and join you in your celebration. What a blessing. You have a lovely family and I wish you a prosperous and love filled 2009. Andrea xoxoxoxoxo
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Oh what a treasure the picture of your Mom & Dad, TFS Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
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I think that is the absolutely best photo I have seen on your blog. (your folks sharing their love) I love to see older people who still love their spouse.
I am glad that your dad made it home for the holidays. And was able to be with his wife and family.
Great picture of your kids too-with their grandparents.
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Thanks for sharing your family pictures. I am so happy that your father was able to get home for Christmas. I still miss my dad every Christmas as it was a favorite time for him and family. I need to be making thank you cards today and hope to be incorporating your challenge.
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Gina, there is no card around that can capture that kind of love. Priceless. TFS........very Merry Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
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I think this wins for picture of the year!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
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Gina ~ Photos like this of your family are priceless! Embed these moments in your mind~~~they are great treasures.
Happy New Year!
Rochelle
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Gina ~ Photos like this of your family are priceless! Embed these precious moments in your mind~~~they are great treasures.
Happy New Year!
Rochelle
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Gina,
You have a BIG heart. Thanks for sharing.
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The picture of your folks warms my heart!! I'm so glad your Dad was home with you and your family!! Blessings and Hugs!!!
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Gina what a fabulous card!! I love it!
The pictures touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes, it looked like you mom was going to cry to!! TFS!!
God Bless you and you family throughout the years!!
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Love the card, stamps and the pics of your family! Glad they could make it.
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That last pic just warms my heart. So sweet! All the pics of your family are just awesome! I also LOVE your card and hope I can play along in your challenge!!
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What fabulous pictures! How wonderful that your dad was able to come home. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the best in 2009!
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Your challenge sounds like fun! I hope I get to participate throughout all of it, I'll sure try! I love the picture of your mom and dad. I want to be like that when I'm their age. Families are such a blessing, thank you for reminding me of that today.
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Gina~ What a wonderful Christmas you must have had with your Dad home! That must have been the best Christmas present ever! Love the pics you shared! Your family is adorable! And love your card too!
Hugs~ Kim
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o gina aint luv grand merry christmas to u and yor famile
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what lovely pictures. you can see the love on your parents faces. God Bless your family!
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Gina I think that is great of your parents. You know that is true love. Cherish them your family is great. I know I cherish my memories.
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thank you for sharing the pics of your mom and dad - i'm so very glad that he was able to be with his family this Christmas...the one of the kiss is pefect!!
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That picture brought tears to my eyes. It was beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. Happy Holidays.
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You will treasure these cards for many years. Absolutely wonderful.
Hugs
Heather
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Both your parents are cute, but your dad is so adorable in his little red hoodie! SO HAPPY you were able to have both of them with you for Christmas!
Hugs,
Sherri
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So glad you could all be together as a family, and yes, it is great even after 55 years of marriage that the love is still there.
Hugs,
Norma
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That picture of your parents sure does give testimony to their love for one another. If I were you I would be scrapping it in a shadowbox for sure.
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Is your Copic still on sale for 99.99 if so.....please let me know .
Thank you
Mary Redford
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I love the picture of your Mom and Dad...so special and sweet..thanks for sharing it with us.
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Hi Gina. What a special photo "The Kiss" is!! I just loved it. Thank you for sharing it. I'm sure you shall treasure it always. I'm so happy your Dad was able to be home with his family this Christmas. {{{{{hugs}}}} to you and your family!
Cheers,
Stacy
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Gina -
I'm so glad your Dad is home. As someone who lost both parents within 9 months of each other (both were in their early 60's), I am so glad you appreciate them. Enjoy them, spend as much time with them as you can. It has been 9 years since I lost my parents, and I still miss them dreadfully. No matter what age we are, it is hard to lose your parents. What keeps me grounded is my Mom's mother. My grandma is 101 and still kicking. She is now in a nursing home, but she is a character who makes me laugh and I adore her. I try to spend every weekend and holidays with her. I'm so lucky to still have her with us.
Elaine Allen
P.S. I love the photo of your Dad giving your Mom a kiss, it is super sweet!
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I just lovwe the challenges. But I don't know how to see all of them?? I only see the one you make. Can you tell me how to get to where they are all posted? Thank You Kate
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Gina, I love your pictures. It is so good to have both of your parents with you during the holidays. The card is lovely also. Hopefully I will be able to do a few of the challenges!
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I always love the pictures you post, but the all time favorite is the bottom one in this post. This is so sweet, nice to see in todays day and age. TFS your personal life with me .... Honored!
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Hi Gina!
Happy Holidays my dear! I love the photos that you shared of your family
Also, just wanted to say "Thank You" to you for being such a passionate leader in the industry - your caring, unselfish attitude is recognized by so many and appreciated by more than you will ever know! Have a wonderful New Year!
Hugs,
Elaine
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I can't wait to play in this challenge, I love that double mat look! Very sweet pictures Gina, You look just like your Mommy! Thanks for sharing the personal pics...very heart warming!
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Oh, how sweet! Your mom looks like she's about to cry! Thanks for sharing this!
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Gina,
The picture of your mom and dad is so sweet. It brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing.
Angie
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Aww, what sweet family photos, Gina! Happy New Year to you and your family!
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Gina, I just had to write you a short note before I moved on to my next e-mail. How dear the photo of your Mom & Dad is. What a photo to always possess. I also like the one with them and your kids. But the photo with the two of them is priceless!
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Wow, Gina, I hope that one day I will get to ba as lucky as your mom and dad. I can only imagine what it would be like to have a soul mate for 55 years, that is treuly amazing! Glad to see you had a very Merry Christmas! Have a Happy New Year as well!
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That is so terrific your father was able to be there with you all, what a gift!
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What FABulous family picture!!! How very sweet and special to have your father with you all!!! Now I can just see some truly wonderful scrapbook pages with those pictures!!
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Gina .... I'm hopelessly captivated with these pics. Your parents are still in love ... so obvious! And I see your smile in theirs. Happy New Year ... and blessings to you.
~Tex
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The picture of your mom and dad brought tears to my eyes too!!! I am so happy your Dad got to be home for Christmas!!! All the best in 2009!
Chris
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totally sweet!
i'm almost half way there with 21 years of marriage.
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Gina, just want to say, I'm sitting here bawling...I cannot tell you how happy I am for you to have your Dad home for Christmas!
I don't know if you remember, but I wrote before and told you how I lost my dear ole' Dad back in July at the age of 95.
Hug him extra tight and let him know how much you love him!
{{hugs}}
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Gina, your card is fantastic but I have to say that what makes this post is the pictures at the bottom. The one of your parents is just adorable! So happy that you were all together for the holidays!!
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Regarding the sweet picture of your parents. We can only pray our love for our spouses will continue to be that strong! What a wonderful, special picture. It touched my heart.
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Hi Gina,
Happy New Year to you & your family!
What an absolutely beautiful photo of your Mum & Dad. That's one to definitely cherish forever. May 2009 bring you all great health, happiness & love.
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